James Cairns

The Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 11/07/1915 and were part of the 27th Brigade,15th (Scottish) Division when James fell. James arrived on the 03/09/1915. He fell 22 days later on the opening day of the Battle of Loos, 25th September - 15th October 1915 : The first genuinely large scale British offensive action but once again only in a supporting role to a larger French attack in the Third Battle of Artois. British appeals that the ground over which they were being called upon to advance was wholly unsuitable were rejected. The battle is historically noteworthy for the first British use of poison gas. On the opening day (morning) - In the centre the 15th (Scottish) Division : In this sector the gas cloud hung back, causing delays and some losses to the advancing troops. Although the infantry had only 200 yards to cross from the heads of the Russian saps, the gas and smoke only covered them for the first 40 yards, and as men emerged into the clear, two German machine-guns swept twice across the advancing line, causing many casualties. The afternoon and evening : 15th (Scottish) Division was in some difficulty, despite having succeeded in capturing Loos itself. Men were helplessly pinned down on the forward slope of Hill 70, and the artillery support that had been called for since 10.50am was only just beginning to happen. The enemy made a determined attempt, having reinforced this area, to envelop the troops lying out in the open and to force them towards the second German line. SEE PHOTOS x 9 FOR THE BATTALION WAR DIARY FROM AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 1915. Scottish Regiments lost a huge amount of brave men at Loos. Here is a list of Infantry Battalions who lost more than 500 men at the Battle of Loos from 25/09/1915 to 16/10/1915 - 7th Cameron Highlanders 687, of which 19 Officers, 9th Black Watch 680, of which 20 Officers, 6th King's Own Scottish Borderers 650, of which 20 Officers, 10th Highland Light Infantry 648, of which 20 Officers, 7th King's Own Scottish Borderers 631, of which 20 Officers, 8th Devons 619, of which 19 Officers, 8th Royal West Kents 580, of which 24 Officers, 8th Buffs 558, of which 24 Officers, 12th Highland Light Infantry 553, of which 23 Officers, 8th Black Watch 511, of which 19 Officers, 5th North Staffordshire 505, of which 20 Officers, 8th Seaforth Highlanders 502, of which 23 Officers. James was 1 of 99 men from the Coatbridge Memorial who fell during and from injuries from the Battle of Loos. His death was not confirmed until /12/1915. James was formerly with the Royal Scots Greys (6191). James was a member of Loyal Orange Lodge 133, Coatbridge District 22. See photos for James' name on the embroidered fall which is held within the Lodge. Many thanks to the Lodge who provided the photo. The Lodge was founded on the 08/06/1906 by 11 Ulstermen hence the name The Loyal Sons of Ulster LOL133. James is also remembered on the East United Free Church and Maxwell Parish Churches Rolls of Honour (see photos). See photos for James' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration, his name on the Loos Memorial x 2, his name on the Loos Memorial Panel List, his former Regiment the Royal Scots Greys Cap Badge, the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge and James' Pension Record. Finally, see photos of a wreath x 2 placed by myself at Loos Memorial in July 2023 remembering ALL the men who left from the Iron Burgh who are named there and one of myself at the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Panels (James listed on the left at my elbow), SEE PHOTOS x 13 FOR THE 15th (SCOTTISH) DIVISION ON THE 25/09/1915, SEE PHOTOS FOR 33 PAGES FROM THE MOST UNFAVOURABLE GROUND BOOK REGARDING THE BATTALION and DIVISION 25/09/1915 (fantastic book on the Battle of Loos kindly signed by the author Niall Cherry) and the 15th (Scottish) Division Order of Battle x 13 (the Division he was with when he died).